easy
Yesterday was Tuesday, so today is Wednesday.
What does Yesterday mean?
Yesterday is the day before today, or means on that day.
Dictionary definition
Yesterday means the day before today, either as a noun or as an adverb telling when something happened. It can also refer more broadly to the recent past or to earlier times.
Example sentences
Yesterday in a sentence
easy
We finished the poster yesterday.
medium
Yesterday’s rain left puddles beside the path.
medium
The museum displays tools from the world of yesterday.
hard
The new student felt nervous yesterday but comfortable today.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice yesterday in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Yesterday
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
If today is Friday, which day was yesterday?
Yesterday is always the day immediately before today.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses yesterday as an adverb telling when?
Yesterday modifies planted by telling when the action happened.
Practice 3
What does yesterday mean in “the inventions of yesterday” ?
In this figurative use, yesterday means the past rather than one exact day.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Yesterday
Voice settings
Sounds like
yes · ter · day · strongest beat: yes
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordYesterday.
Partnoun, adverb.
MeaningYesterday is the day before today, or means on that day.
ExampleExample: Yesterday was Tuesday, so today is Wednesday.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- yes · ter · day
- Strongest beat
- yes
- Ending
- day
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on yes.
Your turn
Say Yesterday
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Nice work—you practiced yesterday.
Synonyms
Words like Yesterday
the day beforeAn exact equivalent when yesterday means the calendar day before today.
the previous dayClose when the reference point is today; in reported stories, context may set a different reference day.
recent pastClose for the broader figurative sense of yesterday.
Antonyms
Opposite words
tomorrowA direct calendar contrast: the day after today rather than the day before today.
todayA useful contrast between the current day and the day immediately before it.
Synonym practice
Want to practice yesterday synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "We played outside yesterday," then compare close word choices. Practice yesterday synonyms.
Word family
Yesterday word family
Base word
yesterday
noun
yesterdays
Past days or, figuratively, earlier times considered as separate periods.
noun
yesterday's
The possessive form used before a noun, as in yesterday's homework.
noun
yesteryear
A literary word for a time in the past, especially one remembered with interest or affection.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Yesterday
Hint for students
Start with the day before today, then check whether the sentence uses yesterday more broadly for the recent or remembered past.
Common mix-up
Yesterday is relative: its date changes when today changes. Yesterday's has an apostrophe because it shows that something belongs to or is connected with yesterday.
Try it in class or at home
Students place yesterday, today, and tomorrow on a three-day calendar, write one adverb sentence and one possessive sentence, then explain how the dates change the next day.
Teacher prompt
Compare Yesterday was rainy, We left yesterday, yesterday's lunch, and the music of yesterday. Ask whether the word names a day, tells when, shows possession, or means earlier times.
Word Wheels
Practice Yesterday with a Word Wheel
Explore 2 wheels that include this word.
1 of 2
Word Wheel
Practice with the Time & Calendar Words Wheel
Spin this researched Time & Calendar wheel to connect units, parts of the day, calendars, schedules, and words for past, present, and future time.
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
This word is part of WordHive's researched School Words collection. Spin the complete wheel to review meanings, discuss classroom connections, and practice using school vocabulary in sentences.
Learning activities
Practice Yesterday and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice YESTERDAY” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice YESTERDAY
Sentence Builder
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Vocabulary Match
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Context Clue Challenge
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Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes YESTERDAY.
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